SEPTA would shutter the Cynwyd, Chestnut Hill West, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton and Wilmington/Newark lines. Service across its five-county area would be cut by 45%, driving away customers and impacting fare revenues, Sauer said.

For years, SEPTA has been warning of dire cuts that would trigger “a death spiral” because of its perennial budget deficits. The agency says 2025 may be the year it may not find an eleventh hour budget fix.

Facing a $213 million funding gap in next year's budget, SEPTA on Thursday announced the potential for major 45% service cuts and fare hikes that would take effect without an increase in funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.